The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is looking for a skilled and dedicated Veterinary Technician to join our dynamic veterinary team. In this role, you’ll play a key part in providing exceptional medical care to a diverse range of species at our Zoo, Aquarium, and International Conservation Center. Experience [LK1] with aquatic, avian, herptile, non-human primate, megavertebrate, mammal, and invertebrate species preferred, including potentially dangerous animals.
Essential Job Functions
- Under general supervision, assist veterinarians in clinical procedures:
- Prepare treatment area or surgery room with appropriate instruments, monitoring equipment, and emergency supplies
- Assist in safe and appropriate manual and chemical animal restraint techniques
- Perform as surgical nurse or anesthetist as directed
- Administer medical treatments, collect biological samples, and maintain organized anesthesia records
- Use advanced imaging equipment to produce diagnostic quality studies
- Perform cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of surgical instruments, medical equipment, and all hospital and operating areas to ensure the zoo hospital maintains a clean and orderly condition
- Follow protocols to assist in responding to veterinary and animal emergencies
- Operate and maintain the clinical pathology laboratory[LK2] , including but not limited to:
- Testing of manual hematology, automated biochemistry analysis, fecal analysis, urinalysis, and cytology
- Sample preparation and shipment to outside laboratories
Sample banking
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive medical records[LK3]
- Prepare, dispense, and administer prescribed medications following appropriate labeling and controlled drug regulations
- Contribute to the daily care and treatment of hospitalized, neonatal, and critical patients[LK4]
- Assist hospital assistants in the care of Quarantine animals
- Participate in operant conditioning training for medical behaviors and procedures as required by medical needs and as directed by the veterinarians
- Understand and be prepared for Emergency Codes
- Provide occasional assistance with nuisance wildlife
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
- Maintain active membership in the Association of Zoological Veterinary Technicians (AZVT)
- Reports directly to the Lead Veterinary Technician and supports the Animal Health Team
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Must demonstrate knowledge of occupational hazards and consistently apply appropriate safety practices while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals or hazardous substances
Qualifications
- Degree in Veterinary Technology from an AVMA accredited institution
- Current Pennsylvania veterinary technician license in good standing, or the ability to transfer a current license to Pennsylvania within three months of hire
- Maintain veterinary technician license with continuing education and ethics
- Minimum 2 years of veterinary technician experience in a clinical setting, with experience with zoo/exotic/aquatic species preferred
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); ZIMS experience preferred
Requirements
- Valid driver's license
- Must obtain rabies vaccination prior to hire date. Must be willing to participate in rabies titer testing as requested by facility during employment
- Must provide proof of negative TB test within 1 year prior to hire date
- Ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions
- Manual dexterity is required to operate machinery, equipment and restraining devices, including restraint nets, pathology supplies, personal computers, etc.
- Must be physically able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects
- Work involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, crawling, crouching, etc. for periods of time
- Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of fifty to seventy pounds[LK5]
- Must be willing to always carry work-provided communication devices on person during work shifts
- Position may require occasional off-site driving
Experience Required
- Minimum 2 years of veterinary technician experience in a clinical setting, with experience with zoo/exotic/aquatic species preferred
Salary
- 22.28/hr
